Jackson Purchase News

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell announced that the U.S. Army has awarded Repkon USA $435 million to build a Trinitrotoluene (TNT) production facility in Graham, Kentucky. This facility will be the first domestic source of TNT in the United States since the 1980s, and Senator McConnell played a key role in securing this investment through his work on the FY 2024 National Security Supplemental.

The announcement took place at a press conference in Muhlenberg County, where Senator McConnell was joined by U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie, officials from Repkon USA and the Army, and County Judge-Executive Mack McGehee.

The new facility will use advanced technology, including automation and digitization, as well as an innovative waste neutralization process. "For the first time in decades, America will produce TNT on its own soil," said Senator Mitch McConnell. He emphasized that this project would retool the defense industrial base critical for national defense and praised Kentucky's infrastructure and workforce.

Congressman Guthrie expressed support for the investment, highlighting its positive economic impact on Muhlenberg County by creating over 50 jobs. "This critical investment...will also help to reshore our military supply chains," he said.

Maj. Gen. John T. Reim noted that this initiative marks a return of TNT production to American soil for the first time since 1986. He thanked congressional leaders for their trust in the Army's efforts to strengthen national security.

Bryan Van Brunt, President of Repkon USA Holdings, Inc., expressed gratitude for being entrusted with this historic opportunity to build a domestic capability vital to military services.

Muhlenberg County Judge-Executive Mack McGehee expressed excitement about Repkon USA establishing its facility locally and acknowledged Senator McConnell's role in bringing this project to fruition.